Ian Sanderson, Tiki Bar & Kitsch Inn, Glasgow
How many rums do you currently stock?
At the Tiki Bar & Kitsch Inn we currently stock over 100 rums. We are always adding to our collection and try and seek out new and interesting products to treat our guests.
Which styles of rum are currently in demand?
Rum is a very versatile spirit with plenty of subcategories to suit any consumer’s taste. The product group as a whole is very popular for us and, as such, we promote a broad spectrum of rum products. We foresee a continuing growth in rums with a little extra character over the softer Latin styles.
Which serves are you promoting at the moment?
We tend to chat to our guests and get a real feel for their tastes. We therefore use a holistic approach and promote products that will be of interest to them in particular.
Do you expect craft rums to pick up pace in 2018?
Yes and no. ‘Craft’ products will continue to be popular with certain groups of consumers. However, I believe some consumers have begun to think phrases such as ‘craft’, ‘small-batch’ and ‘hand-crafted’ can be marketing and sales slogans and are instead seeking out brands that have a greater heritage and a proven place in the modern spirits market.
What tips would you offer to others looking to improve their rum offer?
Diversity is the key. Offer a broad spectrum of rums that represent each of the subcategories – this will allow you to tailor experiences to each guest and maximise sales.
What is your personal favourite rum at the moment and why?
I don’t necessarily have a favourite rum; with rum being so diverse there’s a product to suit each occasion. I tend to favour rums that have a little extra character and often a higher ABV.
Lachlan Rooney, The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
How many rums do you currently stock?
We currently stock 84 rums.
Which styles of rum are currently in demand?
There has been noticeable growth in high proof rums in the last year. With a huge push in activation from brands like Wray & Nephew and Goslings, people are generally more open to experimentation with rums and cocktails. We’re finding consumers are looking to switch out white rums in their Daiquiris for rums that pack a punch.
With the larger white rum brands being largely unaffected by this, we’re seeing the smaller brands branching out and promoting older expressions or perhaps focusing on their spiced/dark expressions as people are looking for more depth of flavour.
On the contrary, it is becoming apparent that simplicity is key in the craft drinks market and seasoned consumers are looking for clear, crisp and fresh drinks. Good quality white rums are often used to create clear drinks to be quaintly garnished with floral or intricate garnishes.
Which serves are you promoting at the moment?
We are promoting Leon Back’s Queen Street Cocktail at the moment. The UK Bacardi Legacy winning drink uses Bacardi Carta Blanca, Martini Ambrato, lemon, sugar, and a Scotch spritz. It too follows a style of simplicity and elegance whilst remaining amiable and tasty.
Do you expect craft rums to pick up pace in 2018?
The craft spirits market always seems to do well in Scotland and with a spike in domestic production from small start-ups like Sea Wolf and Dark Matter it looks like the boom isn’t going to slow down anytime soon.
What tips would you offer to others looking to improve their rum offer?
For people to improve their rum selection it’s important they look at where they’re sourcing their spirits from and how similar they are to each other. Quite often you’ll find a bar with just white rums and maybe a spiced rum. To ensure you have a better selection it’s important to consider agricoles, dark rums, over proof rums, rums aged in different casks, rums from obscure places, rums from Scotland, and others that may catch consumers’ eyes. Rums generally aren’t too expensive and to provide a variety for customers is somewhat easier than, say, a large whisky selection.
What is your personal favourite rum at the moment and why?
Personally I’m a big fan of the whole Diplomatico range. One that stands out from the crowd is the No 2 Barbet rum from its distillery collection released in Germany last year. It’s created in a French copper barbet column still which eliminates any sulphur compounds leaving a wonderfully fruity distillate which translates sensationally into the finished product. 10/10!
